There's a Costco Side Hustle That Could Earn You Thousands, but Is It Legit?

Costco has long been known for offering wholesale prices directly to consumers - and some members have found a way to profit from that by becoming an arbitrageur. Arbitrage is an economic practice that capitalizes on the price difference between two markets, essentially referring to the practice of reselling goods for a higher price.

Some clever Costco members have discovered that they can identify prime targets for reselling by using the Amazon seller app and scanning barcodes of items at Costco to immediately determine if it will have a turnover profit.

The process is as easy as it sounds, but there are drawbacks to flipping wholesale items. Amazon sellers are responsible for purchasing the product, listing, packaging, and shipping it - all before they see any profits.

There is also the risk that customers will feel duped if they find out they are repurchasing a Costco product and will prefer to unlock Costco membership perks directly.

If you want to give this side hustle a try, check out these products with a high resale value - but remember, if they don't sell, you may be stuck with them.

Editor's note: Prices and availability may vary by location.

1. Jack Link's Big Beef Jerky Stick

Courtesy of Costco

Snacks are a great option to resell if you pick them up from Costco, especially items that you don’t have to worry about selling year-round, compared to things like chocolate.

Jack Link's Big Beef Jerky Sticks is a great example. You can get a box of 20 beef sticks for $16.99 and resell them on places like Amazon or eBay for a profit.

2. Sanders Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramels

Courtesy of Costco

Your timing may be important if you decide to sell chocolate, as you don’t want to send items that can melt during the summer months.

But candy is a good option to resell, especially if it’s something unique like the Sanders Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramels, which is $27.99 for a two-pack of 36-ounce caramels at Costco.

3. Colgate Optic White Renewal Toothpaste

Courtesy of Costco

Toothpaste is another option that can earn you a little more cash if you resell it from Costco.

Check out a unique option that may be hard to find somewhere else with the Colgate Optic White Renewal Toothpaste. The toothpaste comes in a pack of four tubes for $18.99.

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4. Costco Monopoly

Courtesy of Costco

Toys and games can be good for resale, particularly if it’s close to the holidays and you found an in-demand game that buyers may pay a markup on to get it.

One of the more interesting recent finds is Costco Monopoly, which is Monopoly decked out with special Costco treats like red picnic tables or a Costco shopping cart as a player piece.

You can grab one of these at Costco for $29.99 and resell it to Costco fans who haven’t been able to get their hands on it yet.

5. Seasonal items

Courtesy of Costco

Costco loads up with plenty of seasonal items, and you could get in early to be the first to grab some desirable pieces and sell them for a profit.

Browse your local Costco to see what’s available, and consider going after the holiday is over when items may be marked down so you can make a bigger profit off of them next year when the holiday rolls back around.

6. SkinnyPop Popcorn

Courtesy of Costco

One way to utilize Costco’s bulk items is to start a vending machine business and buy your stock from Costco.

For example, you can pick up a box of 28 bags of SkinnyPop Popcorn for $17.99 at Costco and add it to vending machines.

7. Gerry Kids' Jersey Lined Jacket

Courtesy of Costco

Winter gear for kids can be frustrating. They may be excited for more snow and put on last year’s winter coat only to realize it doesn’t fit anymore, and all the stores are out of winter gear.

You can profit from this by picking up items like Gerry Kids' Jersey Lined Jacket, which comes in a variety of sizes for $9.97.

8. Books

Courtesy of Costco

Books can be a good option, especially if you can combine some of them and sell them as a bundle.

Check out different books at Costco to see which ones will work for a bundle or may be in the most demand.

It’s also a good idea to check on media mail rates with the U.S. Postal Service, as it allows you to sell things like books through the mail for a smaller fee than typical postage.

9. Dionis Goat Milk Hand Cream

Courtesy of Costco

Beauty products can be a good option if you need to mark something up for a profit. Grab some Dionis Goat Milk Hand Cream for $24.99 at your local Costco.

The set comes with 10 tubes of lotion that you can sell individually for a profit or break up the two packs of five tubes each and sell them on their own.

10. Regional items

Courtesy of Adobe Stock

You may be surprised to find out that your Costco might carry something other Costcos don’t, making those products perfect targets for resale.

Head to your local Costco and look over the shelves to see if there are snacks, candy, or other food items that may be in demand somewhere else to build a profit in your pocket.

11. Frito-Lay Classic Mix

Courtesy of Costco

Another great option, if you decide to earn money with a vending machine side hustle, is with bags of chips.

Costco has you covered with a box of 54 bags of chips for $23.99. The box includes chips like Cheetos, Ruffles, and Lay’s Classic chips.

12. Gift cards

Courtesy of Costco

One of the great things about Costco is that you can buy gift cards for less than face value, so see if you can flip them for extra cash.

For example, you can buy $100 worth of IHOP gift cards for only $79.99. The pack comes with four $25 gift cards, so selling each card slightly below face value can earn you a profit.

13. Pendleton Tumblers

Courtesy of Costco

Tumblers have become more popular with the increase in sales of Stanley tumblers for commuters or anyone trying to drink more water. But the popular tumblers can cost $45 each.

Get in on the craze with something a little less expensive that can still make you a profit with the Pendleton 20-ounce Tumblers at Costco.

A pair of tumblers costs $24.97 and can be sold as a pair, or you can split them up for an extra profit.

14. Deals

Courtesy of Adobe Stock

Costco always has deals available, so check out its weekly or monthly deals to stock up on popular items.

Deals allow you to grab items at a reduced cost, which can help increase your profit if you sell them for a marked-up price.

Check out items that may be more popular in resale markets or things that are only available for a limited time.

Bottom line

Costco can be a good option for buying items you can resell for a profit, especially if you can buy them in bulk and break them up.

It’s a good idea to factor your additional side hustle income into your budget so you have clear goals for how much you want to save and how much you want to spend.

You should also consider using the best cash back credit cards to save more when you buy your items to resell at Costco.

Money tips that can work for everyone

No matter what your bank account balance is, there's always an opportunity to optimize and improve your finances. Here's a quick checklist of things you can look at today.

Focus on paying off your debt . Debt can hold you back from making progress with your overall financial well-being. Aside from cutting expenses, there are tools that can help you pay off debt faster like balance transfer credit cards and debt counseling.

Earning extra income can give you breathing room. If finances are tight, earning some extra money to supplement your income can make a huge difference. A new job is one option to consider, but if you're not ready to make a big change or already retired, a part-time side job could be a better choice.

Cut your expenses. It sounds painful and so not fun, but it doesn't have to be. Take a look at your biggest expenses because that's where you'll probably find the biggest savings. For example, auto insurance rates have been soaring so shopping around for a new insurance company can be the fastest way to cut your bill. Also, look for ways to cut your grocery bill (despite rising inflation).